Notebook transaction card holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for receiving a transaction card, such as a gift card, within a folded, multi-panel assembly that can be fixed in a closed disposition and which contains held within a notepad comprising a pad of multiple sheets of paper. In certain embodiments, the holder includes a main panel, a top flap, and a bottom flap, the top and bottom flaps cooperating to fold upon one another to close the holder and secure a notepad and gift card held within.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of prior-filed, co-pendingprovisional application, Ser. No. 61/ 576,593, filed Dec. 16, 2011,incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to transaction card holders and moreparticularly to a card holder for holding a transaction card, such as agift card, within a folded assembly that also contains a pad of multiplesheets of paper or the like.

Transaction cards, stored value cards, or gift cards, as they arecommonly called based upon their intended use, have become populargifts. Gift cards typically comprise a stored value card whereby acertain cash equivalent value is encoded upon a magnetic strip appliedto the surface of the card. This stored value may be determined by thevendor prior to packaging and display for sale or may be selected at thepoint of sale by the purchaser and loaded by the cashier using amagnetic card reader/writer. As an alternative to a magnetic strip, atransaction card may use a bar code to link the card to an account bywhich the associated value is stored in a computer database. Whilepopular, gift cards are typically provided with a generic and impersonaldesign, typically identifying the associated merchant for which the cardmay be used to purchase merchandise, and therefore are not personalizedin view of the intended recipient. In addition, a gift card typicallyconveys no immediate benefit or utility to the gift recipient at thetime of receipt. Gift card holders of the present invention thereforeaugment the gift of a transaction card by providing a surface fordisplaying decorations, images, messages, etc., as well as a usefulnotepad that can be used and enjoyed immediately by the gift recipient.

Gift cards are often presented for sale on display racks in stores, eachcard or packet of cards being hung upon a display stand peg. A givenarea of a store will typically only support a certain number and size ofdisplay stands, given store traffic and other considerations, whichmakes allocation of display space an important marketing decision thatmay require selecting only certain high selling cards for display.Display of other items in the same store area will typically reduce thesubstantially finite space available for displaying gift cards and giftcard packets.

In addition to the above considerations, gift card packets typicallymust fit within a set, allocated space in pre-existing displays. A giftcard packet typically must not exceed 5.25″ tall and 4″ wide. Thesedimensions are an industry standard and are typically non-negotiable. Inorder to properly hang each gift card packet, the packet typicallyincludes a J-hook hole (sombrero cut) with the exact dimensions of1.875″ wide by 0.5″ high and be placed 0.1875″ from the top of thepacket. Presently, the above requirements pertain to approximately 95%of all gift cards and gift card packets that are sold at retail.

It should be appreciated that the terms “gift card” and “transactioncard” are used interchangeably herein, the term “gift card” conveying acommon but not requisite use of a transaction card as a gift item. Theterms “typically”, “generally”, “essentially” and “substantially” may beused when describing embodiments of the invention disclosed herein andconvey that a structure or function may occur in one more embodiments,but not necessarily in every embodiment, and that the scope of theinvention is not limited by such disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to provide a card holder for holding atransaction card, such as a gift card, within a folded assembly forpresentation to a gift recipient. The holder also contains and providesa notebook or notepad typically comprising a pad of multiple sheets ofpaper or the like that augments the perceived value and utility of thetransaction card and card holder assembly. An embodiment of the cardholder may include a main panel, a first or bottom flap extendingdownward from the main panel, a second or top flap extending upward fromthe main panel, means for retaining the top flap and the bottom flap ina closed disposition, a pad of paper or notepad attached to a surface ofthe holder, typically to the main panel, and means for removablyattaching a transaction card to the holder, such as slits for receivingthe edges of the card.

An embodiment of a holder in accordance with the invention may include amain panel, a plurality of sheets of paper (or like material forreceiving writing) stacked upon one another (e.g. a notepad) andattached to the main panel. Typically, a notepad is attached to a frontsurface of the main panel. A first flap extends from a margin of themain panel and includes one or more slits or removable adhesive or othermeans for attaching a transaction card thereto. A second flap extendsfrom a margin of the main panel, typically from the margin opposing themargin from which the first flap extends. The holder includes means forretaining the first and second flaps in a closed position to enclose thenotepad between the main panel, to which the notepad is attached, andthe flaps, which fold upon one another to overlie the notepad. The firstflap includes a means for securing the second flap thereto, such as aslit in the first flap for receiving an edge of the second flap when thefirst and second flaps are in closed positions. A hang tag may extendfrom holder, typically from the main panel but alternatively from one ofthe flaps. The hang tag is separable from the holder along a line ofperforations. After purchase of the holder, the portion of the hang tagextending beyond the margins of the holder (typically, beyond themargins of the main panel) may be torn off along these perforations. Ameans for attaching a transaction card to the first flap may compriseone or more slits in the flap for receiving one or more edges of thetransaction card. In certain embodiments of the holder, the first flapcomprises two subpanels attached to one another in an overlying positionto form a double wall.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example anembodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing a card holder in a fully openposition.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view showing the card holder in a fully openposition.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing the card holder in a fullyclosed position.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the top flap of the card holderin an open position.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view showing a sheet from the pad liftedaway and partially detached from the underlying sheets.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the card holder in a partially openposition.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of die cut stock used to form a cardholder.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of die cut stock used to form a cardholder.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a sheet of note paper.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a hanging tag.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a piece of ribbon looped through a pair ofapertures in the top flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

With reference to the figures, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one or moreembodiments of a card holder 100 for holding transaction cards, such asa gift card 105. FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing the cardholder 100 in a fully open position with the top flap 110 moved, liftedor tilted upward to a vertically upward position and the bottom flap 115moved, pulled or tilted downward to a vertically downward position, eachflap 110 and 115 thereby moved and pivoted away from the main panel 120.The main panel 120 is obscured in FIG. 1 by the pad 125 attachedthereto, but is visible from the rear of the holder 100 in FIG. 2. Thetop flap 110, main panel 120 and bottom flap 115 are generally joined toone another in series along the longitudinal axis of the holder 100.

The holder 100 comprises card stock, relatively thin cardboard,relatively thick paper, or the like. The pad or notepad 125 comprisessheets or pages 130 of paper suitable for receiving writing, drawings orother marks made in ink, pencil graphite, paint or other suitablematerial using a pen, pencil, marker, brush or other suitable device.

Typically, a pad 125 is formed by removably adhering sheets 130 to oneanother along a top margin, as known in the prior art. A backer orbacker sheet (not shown) may be adhered at the back of the pad 125 andmay comprise a more rigid material to support and protect the sheets130. Either the backer or the back sheet of the pad 125 is adhered tothe front surface of the main panel 120, when the pad 125 is attachedthereto, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, and more clearly shown in the side,perspective view provided in FIG. 6.

The top flap 110 is typically generally triangular in shape so that theportion distal to the main panel 120, referred to herein as the point135, is of sufficient reduced, transverse, dimension or width to slideand fit into a slot 140 formed in the bottom flap 115. The point 135 isshown inserted into and engaged with the slot 140 in FIG. 3.

The top flap 110 includes a pair of apertures 145 a and 145 b(collectively referred to by 145). As shown in FIG. 11 (a diagram of thetop surface of the top flap 110 in the same general orientation as inFIG. 2), a piece of ribbon 150 or the like is looped through theapertures 145 and tied at the front surface of the top flap 110,typically to form a bow, to attach the ribbon 150 to the top flap 110.The ribbon 150 may serve as a structure to grasp when pulling the topflap 110 from engagement with the slot 140 or simply as a decoration.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the card holder 100 showing a hangingtag 155 attached to the upper portion of the outer, rear facing surfaceof the main panel 120. As shown in FIG. 10, the hanging tag 155 includesan upper portion 156 and a lower portion 157 divided from one another bya line of perforations 165. The lower portion 157 bears a line or stripof adhesive 160 used to attach the lower portion 157 to the main panel120, as described above. The upper portion 156 includes peg hole 170therein, typically a sombrero cut hole 170, for receiving the peg orpost of a display rack (not shown). The hanging tag 155 may compriseplastic, acetate or other suitable material. The holder 100 is typicallypresented for sale in the folded disposition (shown in FIG. 3) byhanging it upon a display rack peg by passing the hanging tag 155 overthe peg so that the peg passes through the peg hole 170. The holder 100is sized so that, when in the folded disposition, it will fit withindisplay rack space constraints as described in the

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the top flap 110 of the cardholder 100 in an open position after withdrawing the point 135 of thetop flap 110 from the slot 140. To open the top flap 110, the user maygrasp the ribbon 150 (or equivalent structure, if provided) and pull itaway from the holder 100. Alternatively, the user may grasp the top flap110 directly and pull it away from the holder 100. Either method willpull or slide the point 135 from the slot 140. In certain alternativeembodiments, the top flap 110 is held to the outer surface of the bottomflap 115 by cooperating, aligned pieces or portions of hook and loopfastener, such as a Velcro fastener material (not shown). In suchembodiments, cooperating pieces are attached to a portion of theunderside of the top flap 110, and to a portion of the outer surface ofthe bottom flap 115, so that when the top flap 110 is closed thecooperating pieces on the top flap 110 and bottom flap 115 are alignedand functionally engaged as is known in the prior art.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view showing a sheet 130 partially liftedfrom the pad 125 and partially detached from the underlying sheets. Inuse, a sheet 130 may be written on by the user either while attached tothe pad 125 or after removal therefrom. FIG. 6 is a perspective viewshowing the card holder 100 in a partially open position.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a sheet of planar card stock 200 diecut to shape and used to form a card holder 100. As shown, the top flap110 includes apertures 145 a and 145. The front surface of the mainpanel 120 includes an area for receiving adhesive 121 to adhere the pad125 to the main panel 120. FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the planarcard stock 200 showing the hanging tag 155 attached to the upper backsurface of the main panel 120 via permanent adhesive 160. In alternativeembodiments, the hanging tag 155 may be attached to a polybag or otheroverwrap that may be used to package the holder 100, in which case thehanging tag 155 is removed and discarded with the overwrap when theholder 100 is unwrapped. In such embodiments, the hanging tag 155 neednot include a line of perforations 165.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the stock 200, the bottom flap 115comprises two subpanels 115 a and 115 b that are attached to one anotherto form a bottom flap 115 with a double wall. Subpanel 115 b extendsfrom the lower margin of the main panel 120 and includes the slot 140.Subpanel 115 a extends from the lower margin of subpanel 115 b (distalthe main panel 120). Subpanel 115 a includes two slits 175 a and 175 b(collectively referred to by 175) for receiving the edges of atransaction card 105, such as a gift card, inserted therein. Toconstruct the bottom panel 115, subpanel 115 a is provided with adhesive117 around the outer margins of the inner surface of the subpanel 115 a.When subpanel 115 a is folded upward along fold line 116 to meetsubpanel 115 b, the adhesive 117 contacts panel 115 b and adheres thesubpanels to each other forming an integrated, double-wall bottom panel115.

The holder 100 may include a gift card 105 installed within the slits175, as shown in FIG. 5, when presented for sale (typically hung upon adisplay rack). Alternatively, the gift card 105 may be removablyattached to an outer portion of the holder 100 for later, post-saleremoval therefrom and attachment within the slits 175, or the holder 100may be presented for sale separate from a gift card 105, in which caseany gift card 105 separately obtained by the user may be installedwithin the holder 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, various indicia may be provided on thesurfaces of the holder 100, including instructions 101, diagrams, lines102, and/or shading for directing positioning and installing a gift card105 within the slits 175. The holder 100 may include a bar code or UPCcode for facilitating purchase. Alternatively, if sold with a gift card105, the bar code or UPC may instead be provided on the surface of thegift card 105 rather than on the surface of the holder 100.

It should be appreciated that the holder 100 and associated structuresmay be constructed in various shapes and forms and bearing variousgraphics and designs while maintaining the general structure andfunctionality described herein. Certain embodiments of the holder 100and any associated packaging are typically constructed and assembled tocomply with standard space constraints for display racks, and moreparticularly, under current guidelines or restrictions, to not exceed5.25 inches tall by 4 inches wide.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A holder for a transaction cardcomprising: a main panel, a notepad attached said main panel, a firstflap extending from a margin of said main panel, said first flapincluding means for attaching a transaction card thereto.
 2. The holderof claim 1, wherein said notepad is attached to a front surface of saidmain panel.
 3. The holder of claim 1 further comprising a second flapextending from a margin of said main panel.
 4. The holder of claim 3further comprising means for retaining said first flap and said secondflap in a closed position to enclose said notepad between said mainpanel and said flaps.
 5. The holder of claim 3 wherein said first flapincludes a slit for receiving an edge of said second flap when saidflaps are in a closed position.
 6. The holder of claim 1 furthercomprising a hang tag extending from said main panel.
 7. The holder ofclaim 6 wherein said hang tag is separable from said main panel along aline of perforations.
 8. The holder of claim 1 wherein said means forattaching a transaction card to said first flap comprises one or moreslits in said first flap for receiving an edge of said transaction card.9. The holder of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching a transactioncard to said first flap comprises removable adhesive.
 10. The holder ofclaim 1 wherein said first flap comprises two subpanels attached to oneanother in an overlying position to form a double wall.